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Two IGs Investigating "Sensitive" Matters Fired; Third One Put on Short Leash;
"Top White House" Lawyer Tells Baffled Republicans That Walpin Firing Was "An Act of Political Courage"

"Political courage," Obama-style:

In one exchange, according to the GOP aide, the White House lawyers explained that inspector general Walpin was not working well with the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, and the administration believed that IGs should work well with the leadership of their agencies. Eisen said he knew that removing Walpin might be seen as an action that would raise questions. "But [Eisen] said that what they did in trying to fix the situation was an act of political courage -- and 'political courage' is the phrase they used," says the aide.

The lawyers would not answer specific questions about documents regarding Walpin's firing.

Go figure.

Apparently the government is rife with senile IGs. Because Obama is firing them like gangbusters, the law he co-sponsored be damned.

He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government’s multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation’s financial system. But now Neil Barofsky is embroiled in a dispute with the Obama administration that delayed one recent inquiry and sparked questions about his ability to freely investigate.

The disagreement stems from a claim by the Treasury Department that Barofsky is not entirely independent of the agency he is assigned to examine — a claim that has prompted a stern letter from a Republican senator warning that agency officials are encroaching on the integrity of an office created to protect taxpayers. …

The dispute comes as Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is looking into the abrupt firings within the last week of two other inspectors general -- one of whom was fired by the White House and the other by the chair of the International Trade Commission.

Both inspectors general had investigated sensitive subjects at the time of their firings.

Grassley is now concerned about whether a pattern is emerging in which the independence of the government’s top watchdogs — whose jobs were authorized by Congress to look out for waste, fraud and abuse — is being put at risk.

Posted by: Ace at 02:06 PM



Comments

1 Be bold. be bold, but, be not too bold.

Posted by: your winnings, sir at June 18, 2009 02:07 PM (PD1tk)

2 frist!

Posted by: your winnings, sir at June 18, 2009 02:07 PM (PD1tk)

3 Donate now, and get twice the bold, for FREE!

Posted by: lorien1973 at June 18, 2009 02:08 PM (IhQuA)

4

Bold!

And a skull!

Posted by: Fallen Sparrow at June 18, 2009 02:09 PM (SOf9N)

5 "independence of the government’s top watchdogs — whose jobs were authorized by Congress to look out for waste, fraud and abuse — is being put at risk."

Ya think?

Posted by: Goldi at June 18, 2009 02:09 PM (daA28)

6 I miss the flaming skull with Blago hair.

Posted by: Sam at June 18, 2009 02:10 PM (2RAD8)

7 A truly interesting change in DC would be something like:

The minority party gets the majority seats on all investigation panels.

That way the majority cannot stifle investigations, and needs to go out of their way to make sure the minority doesn't drown the system with investigations.

Posted by: lorien1973 at June 18, 2009 02:10 PM (IhQuA)

8 If courage is measured by whining, then I know a lot of courageous 2nd Graders.

Posted by: Picric at June 18, 2009 02:10 PM (+hnIk)

9 Courage.

Posted by: Dan Rather at June 18, 2009 02:11 PM (PDeVA)

10 The most open and honest administration, EVAH!

Posted by: mikeyslaw at June 18, 2009 02:13 PM (QMGr1)

11 Again, the Gestapo put and end to these pesky inspectors.  If Dear Leader doesn't like the outcome...fuck it...fire their asses.  Welcome to our new country..ain't it great?  Shut up Klink...you idiot!

Posted by: Sparky at June 18, 2009 02:14 PM (J1f2W)

12

It is clearly obvious that the law is not an obsticle to this administration but beyond that I can't seem to shake this nagging feeling that these people may not know what they're doing.

Am I alone here?

 

Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at June 18, 2009 02:17 PM (RkRxq)

13

My co-workers:  OBLIVIOUS.

Posted by: Pelvis at June 18, 2009 02:17 PM (LlaBi)

14 So now we know why Obama hasn't been paying attention to what's happening in Iran - too busy lying awake at night summoning up the "political courage" to break the fucking law.

Posted by: Waterhouse at June 18, 2009 02:18 PM (vsUUu)

15 It took the courage of a big game hunter to confront that fly also.

Posted by: polynikes at June 18, 2009 02:19 PM (m2CN7)

16 I wonder if I could be admired by a fancy WH lawyer for the political courage it takes to break the law and not pay taxes.

Posted by: Waterhouse at June 18, 2009 02:19 PM (vsUUu)

17

Reminds me of the time that my cousin caught me nailing that really ugly chick.  I had to chop him up in little pieces and dump his body in the river so he wouldn't tell anyone.

Only now do I recognize that it really was an "act of courage" on my part.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at June 18, 2009 02:19 PM (rf03a)

18 Sorry officer, but doing 100 mph over the limit is politically courageous.

Posted by: Waterhouse at June 18, 2009 02:21 PM (vsUUu)

19 So, let me see.  Did these lawyers write any opinions that said that firing the IGs was not a violation of the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act? Because as I understand it, writing an opinion that is later found to be in error (or just unpopular with the right people) is a crime, or something.

Oh, wait.  President Obama wouldn't require an opinion on a law that Sen. Obama cosponsored.

Posted by: Gen. Sir Harry Flashman, VC at June 18, 2009 02:22 PM (3aYJr)

20

I think once again its appropriate to post this excerpt on the difference between  being courageous and being bold.

Boldness is impatient. Courage is long-suffering. Boldness cannot endure hardship or delay; it is ravenous, it must feed on victory or it dies. Boldness makes its seat upon the air; it is gossamer and phantom. Courage plants its feet upon the earth and draws its strength from God’s holy fundament.

The bold man is prideful, brazen, ambitious. The brave man calm, God-fearing, steady. The bold man seeks to divide; he wants his own and will shoulder his brother aside to loot it. The brave man unites. He succors his fellow, knowing that what belongs to the commonwealth belongs to him as well. The bold man covets; he sues his neighbor in the law court, he intrigues, he dissembles. The brave man is content with his lot; he respects that portion the gods have granted and husband it, comporting himself with humility as heaven’s steward.

In troubled times the bold man flails about in effeminate anguish, seeking to draw his neighbors into his misfortune, for he has no strength of character to fall back upon other than to drag others down to his own state of wickedness. Now the brave man. In dark hours he endures silently, uncomplaining. Reverencing the round of heaven’s seasons, he does what must be done, sustaining himself with the certainty that to endure injustice with patience is the mark of piety and wisdom.

Posted by: polynikes at June 18, 2009 02:22 PM (m2CN7)

21 Also note - there's NO WAY a professional comedian could find something amusing about this.

Posted by: Waterhouse at June 18, 2009 02:22 PM (vsUUu)

22 On the upside , maybe someone in the media will take a long hard look at what these people were investigating ........

/s.

Posted by: Bill D. Cat at June 18, 2009 02:22 PM (vKdhq)

23

Investigating Barry's cronies = no courage.

Firing people who are getting too close to getting the dirty on Barry's cronies = courage.

Media coverage = 0

Posted by: TheQuietMan at June 18, 2009 02:22 PM (1Jaio)

24 Hey I think Walpin should file an EEOC claim for age discrimination.  After all, "confused" and "disoriented" sure as hell sound to me like some test balloons about that old guy is senile. 

Posted by: alexthechick at June 18, 2009 02:23 PM (SHHaV)

25 It's just this kind of courage that will be needed to surrender to Kim Jong Il.

Posted by: alppuccino at June 18, 2009 02:23 PM (nwXF9)

26

 

Polictial Courage.   Let me get my Orwellian Dictionary out. 

 

 

 

 

Posted by: Jane at June 18, 2009 02:24 PM (hPsuK)

27 Every night, I go to bed thinking, "Well, I have seen it all now."

Then, the sun rises the next morning, and Obie does something even more breathtaking than the day before.

I truly feel that I am living in Bizarro World or something.


Posted by: Well Hung Chad at June 18, 2009 02:25 PM (d+kiR)

28 The mere fact that Obama would hire someone to work in the White House other then a speech writer or press secretary who would use the term "act of political courage" in a closed door meeting with Senate staffers scares the shit out of me. 

I expected, at least, a politically adept and competent staff doing all kinds of awful shit.  Not ideologues basking in the One's glow.  This is up their with Soto being a subpar Justice - at least the incompetent can do less harm. 

Posted by: Jean at June 18, 2009 02:26 PM (L64A6)

29 24, alexthechick at June 18, 2009 02:23 PM (SHHaV)

The head of the EEOC will just get a phone call from rahmbo with a threat of losing his job, end of story.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at June 18, 2009 02:27 PM (qegH4)

30

Wow. Just wow.

Obama DoubleTalk NewThink in its advanced form.

 

 

Posted by: lurker at June 18, 2009 02:27 PM (AqLUZ)

31 And the unanimous winner of the 2009 Profiles in Courage award Is President Barack Obama.

Posted by: Caroline Kennedy at June 18, 2009 02:29 PM (uymlc)

32 As PMS would say "who can ever doubtthe honesty and political courage of Obama and the inherest partisanship and dishonesty of the IG Corps.  I am however not an Obamanazi nor support his policies in any way.  I am also a hetereosexual, really macho, really I am.

Posted by: Thomas Jackson at June 18, 2009 02:31 PM (B8gqF)

33 "Because Obama is firing them like gangbusters, the law he co-sponsored be damned."

Oh, be serious - Obama never wrote, or even read, any of the laws he "co-sponsored" or voted on.  He has staff to do that - he is far too important to "read" bills.  We all know Obama was allowed to just attach his name to various bills so he could pretend he had some experience.

Posted by: Holdfast at June 18, 2009 02:35 PM (Gzb30)

34

If Hussein the socialist sack of shit isn't impeached there should be a riot on DC. Bring plenty of rope.

Posted by: The Great Satan™ at June 18, 2009 02:36 PM (knIKF)

35 This is what happens when you have no governmental or media oversight. You believe you can get away with anything.

Posted by: ricky at June 18, 2009 02:40 PM (muUqs)

36

If the GOP had any sense or guts, it would be Xmas in June for them.

"Here come Commiecrats, cheating Commiecrats, right down Commiecrat Lane. Firing inspectors, bribing officials, media pretends it's sane!"

(more lyrics to follow)

Posted by: Curmudgeon at June 18, 2009 02:43 PM (ujg0T)

37 TGS, Obama cleverly blunted any chance of an impeachment hearing by selecting Biden as VP.

That has to be the one insurance policy that keeps on giving.

But then again, I'll take Biden in a second if any impeachment should arise....that policy is revoked as far as I'm concerned.

Posted by: Drider at June 18, 2009 02:46 PM (HaJD9)

38 McCaskill, liberal women=vagina and no brain.

Posted by: J at June 18, 2009 02:46 PM (dduuK)

39 Cue our Obama fanboy troll... "Law, shmaw. He's got Moral Authority - like Captain America!"

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at June 18, 2009 02:48 PM (BysJp)

40

Drider, good point but as others have said, Biden may be a dimwitted dolt, and he is, but he at least loves this country unlike the fraud we currently have in the White House.

What's happening in this nation is nothing short of a coup by anti-American filth masquerading as politicians.

Posted by: The Great Satan™ at June 18, 2009 02:50 PM (knIKF)

41

Hell, Nixon was a piker, he only fire one person looking into wrong-doing.

Posted by: Vic at June 18, 2009 03:01 PM (5ynkO)

42 I just feel like Peter Schiff circa 2006 and 2007 right now.  You seem like you're calling the fouls in the system, but everyone sort of snickers at you as if you're a wee crazy.

This despite the very clear statute that Obama co-opted as his own writing through his co-sponsorship as a Senator.

Anyone read defenses of dismissing Walpin in this way?  I cannot find one.

Posted by: WTF Capital Investments at June 18, 2009 03:06 PM (GtYrq)

43 "Grassley is now concerned about whether a pattern is emerging..."

Nah!  I'm sure it's all one big coincidence.  Just a 'distraction'.  Nothing to see here.

Posted by: GarandFan at June 18, 2009 03:27 PM (C3okI)

44 The Dem's in Congress are Obama's bitches and the Prez is showing them just how much respect he has for them and the so-called Constitutional authority they think they have-but don't.  All their power belong to us( the White House).  So, just suck on it and learn to like it all of you Dem Senators and Congressmen.

Posted by: Hughie at June 18, 2009 03:27 PM (iGqcN)

45

The Repubicans game plan:

Wait...wait...wait for it......

FFW DEC 2010..wait..wait...wait for it.....

FFW FFW 2012...

 

Posted by: dananjcon at June 18, 2009 03:38 PM (1B81L)

46 inspector general Walpin was not working well with the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, and the administration believed that IGs should work well with the leadership of their agencies.

Wait, I thought he was senile?  On Beck yesterday he said he had told the board that they should be a little more critical of CNCS and not just approve everything management wanted.  Guess that senile little man hit a nerve.
David

Posted by: LifeTrek at June 18, 2009 04:10 PM (tJTIW)

47 Special prosecutor, anyone?

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at June 18, 2009 04:19 PM (iC0KP)

48

In a breathtaking act of political courage, Barack Obama today declared himself Generalissimo of America, Lord of the Border Marches, and Master of His Domain. Congress and the courts have been dismissed.

All hail His Highness!

Posted by: Pravda at June 18, 2009 04:24 PM (5itGq)

49 Frankly I don't care for the whole special prosecutor system, it never seems to accomplish anything but costs a crapload of money. Not like one would ever be appointed by the Democrats though.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at June 18, 2009 04:26 PM (PQY7w)

50 Posted by: The Great Satan™ - If Hussein the socialist sack of shit isn't impeached there should be a riot on DC. Bring plenty of rope.

Orrrrr, how about joining us on 09/12/2009 here: http://912dc.org/

Posted by: scituate_tgr at June 18, 2009 04:57 PM (OQFFO)

51 An article in the 1/5/9 issue of USA stated that "Obama will be working with the nation's oldest congress where the average age in the house is 57 and in the senate 63.  The ironic thing is that there is probably a sizeable number of members of congress that would not be able to pass the "senility test" that Glen Beck administered to Walpin:  Kennedy; Byrd; Spector; Dingell.  In addition to that is the huge list of people who would be too stupid to pass it:  Boxer; Pelosi; Reid; Frank; Murray; McDermott; Waters--the list is too long!

Posted by: Barry O., Chief Appeaser at June 18, 2009 04:59 PM (RwCJ3)

52 "Grassley is now concerned about whether a pattern is emerging in which the independence of the government’s top watchdogs — whose jobs were authorized by Congress to look out for waste, fraud and abuse — is being put at risk."

Put at risk?
Systematically dismantled, I'd say.

Posted by: right at June 18, 2009 04:59 PM (EquV1)

53 It's a shame Hoover is dead.

Posted by: toby928 at June 18, 2009 05:19 PM (PD1tk)

54 I’m just throwing this out there since I had an idea today. I have no EVIDENCE to prove this.

Remember during the campaign blogs on the right made a point to talk about the fact that Obama’s on-line credit card donation site had DELIBERATELY turned it’s verification security off, thereby allowing the same donors to repeatedly donate well above the legal limit using made up names and addresses?

And Obama raised an astounding, eye-opening, jaw-dropping amount of cash this way?

A lot of speculation was given at the time that these multiple donations from single donors using fake names was from overseas or from someone like George Soros.

I have an alternative theory I would like to propose.

Some of that illegally donated campaign money from untraceable sources was in fact AMERICAN TAX PAYER DOLLARS given to groups like ACORN and AmeriCorps being sent in from Obama’s support network.

When you have a group like AmeriCorp and ACORN getting handed literally millions upon millions of tax payer dollars with little or no oversight over what’s done with the money, and given the incidents of fraud and abuse with such funds that have already come to light when someone has bothered to check, it’s not far fetched that Obama might have ridden his way into the White House on the crest of a wave of illegally donated tax payer dollars.

If this is INDEED the case, it's becomes abundantly CLEAR why Obama wants to stop any probing into what groups like AmeriCorp and ACORN have done with the federal taxpayer dollars that have been handed to them.

Posted by: manofaiki at June 18, 2009 06:56 PM (uSh7j)

55 I wouldn't be surprised to find out at least some of the money was along those lines, but I suspect most of it was foreign donations; Chinese, German, Russian, Saudi, etc.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at June 18, 2009 07:34 PM (PQY7w)

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